Appointments

All surgeries can be booked by ringing 01302 710210 between 08:00 and 18:30 Monday to Friday.

You may consult whichever doctor you choose by making an appointment.

Appointments are booked at 10-minute intervals for each consultation. If you feel you might need longer than this let the receptionist know when booking your appointment. Please do not try to fit extra members of your family in during the consultation, as this will delay the surgery, causing aggravation to other patients. Surgery times may be subject to change due to holidays or illness. More details regarding this practice can be found at www.nhs.uk.

Both Dr Stewart and Dr Perkins are male and we fully understand that some ladies may wish to have a nurse present during the consultation. If you wish to take advantage of this facility please make your wishes known to the receptionist when booking your appointment.

If you need to talk in confidence to a receptionist there is a room available for this, please ask at reception for a confidential room.

Download our SMS reminder form and return completed to the surgery to start receiving appointment reminders.

Telephone Advice

This may be arranged with the doctor calling back at a specified time. Please ensure you are able to answer the call and that it is preferably not on a mobile number.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling 01302 710210 before 10:00.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.